"This is a good fit for him," Tomlinson said today on NFL Network. "The Jets already have a very good offensive line, a good receiving corps – obviously headed by Santonio Holmes, Dustin Keller at tight end. This is a team that offensively, they run the ball really well. This is a team that if they get Peyton Manning, that division it could be scary.”

The Jets are expected to be among the teams that explore Manning's health and willingness to play for their club. Manning was released today after 14 seasons, four league MVP honors and one Super Bowl title with the Colts.

The soon-to-be 36-year-old is still rehabbing back to form after a reported four neck surgeries in less than two years but will draw heavy interest as a free agent for the first time in his pro career.

The Jets are an interesting potential suitor, because they drafted Mark Sanchez to be their franchise quarterback just three years ago and thus must consider his future with the organization. Tomlinson speculated that if the Jets in fact acquired Manning, Sanchez would want to play elsewhere.

"I think he would probably go in and maybe ask to be released," Tomlinson said. "Because here is Mark Sanchez’s gripe: ‘I took you guys to two straight AFC Championship Games; yeah I didn’t get it done last year, but my first and second year I took you to two AFC Championship Games. How can you turn around and just bring in another quarterback right now?’ Rightfully so he would be a little mad. That’s all a part of it. But at the same time, if he could grow up a little bit and try to learn from somebody like Peyton Manning, then maybe in a couple of years – two or three years – if they did decide to go with Peyton Manning, he could learn from that and then also be the quarterback again.”

Realistically, the Jets probably couldn't afford to keep Sanchez on the roster if they were to sign Manning. Sanchez is due an $8.5 million base salary in 2012 and a $2.75 million roster bonus on March 27. His salary cap charge this year is $14.25 million.

Of course, this is getting ahead of the situation. Sanchez is under contract, and Manning is back in South Florida — where he keeps an offseason home — after an emotional day in Indianapolis, unsure of what's next.

For what it's worth, though, Tomlinson's take is that the Jets locker room would back the team signing Manning.

“The players want to win – that’s the first thing," Tomlinson said. "As players, we always want the guy that is going to give us the best opportunity to win. With Peyton Manning, his track record says it all. He’s won a Super Bowl, been to two, a four-time MVP. His resume tells you right now that this guy is going to be able to come in and we’re going to win. When you’re up against that as players, it’s hard to not say you want a guy like Peyton Manning. He’s one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time."